Is Grunge Coming Back???

 

Rhianna (We Found Love Video)

Is grunge slowly creeping it’s way back into our lifestyle? The dirty, carefree, just-rolled-out-of-bed style for some has never left. Just take a walk down Bedford Ave in Williamsburg on any given day and you will see that grunge never died. But some celebs have recently been spotted with their own re-incarnation of the fashion era. Who knows, it may eventually make it to some of the runways! But in the meantime, here is some inspiration to get you going. The great thing about Grunge is that there is no wrong way to do it. Maybe the old dirty Doc Marten’s weren’t your thing–throw on a pair of retro J’s  or Red Wings with some Nudie Jeans and a distressed tee and the early 2000′s never looked so good!

Sexy Serifs [article originally on Brand New]

For over 30 years, if you ask any girl she’ll tell you, Victoria’s Secret is one of her favorite shoppes that makes her feel like a woman. From fragrances, to nities, to lip gloss, I go IN, when I step in there. As a designer, I’ve always been a fan of their packaging design and in-store signage. It’s sexy to say the least. I stumbled across a great article that details their logo revamp (yes, they did that a couple years ago). To the common shopper, it’s nothing to speak of. To a designer, it was a welcomed and necessary update by Mucca Design. Enjoy! Sexy Serifs – Brand New.

OOOH, Girl

Cute illustrations + Funny Captions = Great distraction for the ADHD kid in me.

check it out. revel in my silliness. ooohgirl!

Inspired! Beyoncé’s maternity wear can hide YOUR belly!

If you’re just as psyched as I am about Queen Bey’s growing baby bump, you’ll be watching her appearances just as much as I am. I’m loving the creative ways that she’s managed to delude us for months. But what if you’re not expecting and your tummy is your trouble area? Or maybe you just gave birth but you need to disguise this area while you work off those extra pounds. Here are some pointers so elegantly demonstrated by Mrs. Carter.

Use fun patterns and exotic prints

Using bold patterns can distract from and hide your tummy, especially in a figure-flattering shape. Also, if you put emphasis on one area, like your legs, the focus will go there. Beyoncé wears this adorable sundress with these great Louboutin pumps.

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Fool Them with Fringes

Fringed dresses or tops are a great way to hide and cover your mid section. And when the top is a deep v-neck, it brings eyes up and puts emphasis on the face and chest instead of your belly. I love fuchsia color is flirty and youthful and a great compliment to most skin tones.

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Rock Bold Hues

This jumpsuit, one of Bey’s favorite things to wear, in this bold orange hue is a perfect way to keep your wardrobe interesting while distracting from your tummy. The buttons give and elongating effect while the high belt give it shape. The bold orange compliments her complexion. Search for colors that compliment and distract but be careful choosing your colors. Nobody wants to look like a basketball.

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Sexy Sequins

Now, this one is tricky. You would think that you could look like a disco ball but paired with the right pieces and a form-flattering shape, you can delude just as well as Bey does here at her fragrance launch in New York. The eyes go in every direction but the mid-section with this beautiful blue combination. The scoop neck sequined tunic bring the eyes up while the blazer conceals and distracts. The shorts send the eyes down to her long legs.

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Long Sweeping Dresses

This is a great and easy basic for anyone looking to hide their tummy. Again the eyes go North and South because the skirt lengthens. But the amazing thing that Bey does here that you can achieve with a separate top is show a little skin just about the mid-section to break up the black and create interest. This is an ultra chic look for evening wear.

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Flowing Fabrics

Who said going casual has to be boring? Pair an easy loose top the flow over the mid-drift for an easy, cute, and comfy way to dress down. Beyoncé’s shorts are cropped and bring attention to the legs to distract from the tummy area. You can also do this later on in the season with a blazer and cropped pants.

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Contact me for more tips and style fixes at danielle@dm-designstudio.com

House of Type

After finally moving into our new apartment and thinking about how we wanted the decorate, I decided, since me and my beau are both designers that we should express that throughout our home. In my home decor search, I found some really cool and amazing things that I thought any designer should have in their home. Click on images for links on where to buy. HAPPY SHOPPING!

Wall Appliqué. Target.com $25

"The End" bookend. CB2.com $15

Screen Printed Wood letter A. Etsy.com $25

 

Letterpress rug. Decorative Carpets. (ask for pricing)

Love Conquers All

Just a random thing I commissioned for myself. Wait until you see the rest of the project.  :-)

Miu Miu Just for Kicks

I am by no means a sneaker fiend.

I can’t tell you which pair of Jordan’s are Jumpman 10′s nor do I camp out in front of FootAction for the release of ANYTHING. But I do know a dope pair of kicks when I see ‘em. I find it ironic that the lust-worthy footwear would come from the fashion house of Miu Miu, which is more known for Italian made handbags and ready-to-wear than a pair of glamazonian Converses. I’m with it though. All the way. With finishes in patent leather, lamé, and over-sized rhinestones, these kicks proclaim “I’m here!!”. If I were a sneaker, I think this is what I would look like. Prices range from $450 to $585. They’re available now at Nordstrom and of course your nearest Miu Miu boutique. I’m slightly obsessed.

Listening with My Eyes: Typography in motion

For the last month, I have been under a visual blitz by this image that I keep running into: Beyoncé in a typographic tutu. And I know very darn well that type isn’t made to be fluttery. But tell that to type sculpture guru Ebon Heath. A native of Brooklyn, Bali, and Berlin he creates his amazing typography installations using geometric shapes and grids. I’m astonished by this work and wondered why it had to take Complex magazine to put this incredible artist in the folder of artists that I secretly want to be like admire. And it’s ironic because it was only a few weeks ago that I asked myself how many renown designers of color can I name without hesitation. The list was awfully meager. In any event, kudos to Ebon and I hope to see more things from him soon (now that I’m following).

Black bags bore me

I’ve been redesigning my closet after my move to New Jersey and came to the realization that I do not own a black handbag. I have black clutches. But no black handbag. And I thought to myself, “why?”. I realized that you can do so much more with a fun pop of color. That ever single time I went to purchase a black bag, I ended up leaving with a bold red, rich brown or cool grey (if you wanna get technical I kinda do own a black bag since grey is a shade of black–it’s the geek in me).  But ask yourself, why does black have to be such a must?? Does it really go with EVERYTHING?? Sometimes, black draws away from the outfit. Sometimes, it makes you look like you have no imagination or you’re afraid to step outside of the box and actually coordinate something rather than “play it safe”. Since I’ve been at Prada, so many of my clients gravitate towards that ominous black bag in an attempt to have something that with go with every outfit. Unless you work in a funeral home, wearing all black all the time doesn’t always work with every occasion–ESPECIALLY in the summertime! Here are my picks for now that will carry you through the fall. Now go ahead and fight the urge to pick up that bag!!

Diane Von Furstenberg Dream Clutch $265

Alexander McQueen Skull Box Clutch $1245

Rebecca Minkoff $595

Prada Nappa Antique Handbag $2295

Balenciaga City Cross $1595

Burberry Quilted Bowling Handbag $1695

Marc Jacobs $575

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I (heart) illustrations

“No more gridlock”